Apparatus and method for adjusting bra fitment

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to bra fitment using a bra fitment apparatus to draw the cups of a bra closer together when worn by a user. The bra fitment apparatus provides two releasable clips connected by a strap to be used in methods that attach the clips to the cups of a bra to draw them together and reshape and reposition the breasts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to bra fitment, and, more particularly, to anapparatus and method for providing the ability to enhance theflexibility of a bra's fitment.

Description of the Related Art

A bra or brassiere is a form-fitting garment designed to support awoman's breasts. Bras are not anatomically required, but are typicallyworn in response to cultural influences to achieve a desired positioningand shape for the breasts. Women's choices about what bra to wear areconsciously and unconsciously affected by social perceptions of theideal female body shape, which changes over time. As lingerie, bras arealso about expressing female sex appeal and expressions of sexualfantasy. Regardless of underlying rationale for her use of a bra,achieving a wearer's desired “look” is frequently critical to theirself-image and confidence.

Proper bra fitment is a problem. Women are of infinitely variable shapesand sizes. However, mass-produced bras are typically manufactured to fita prototypical woman standing with both arms at her sides. Bra designassumes a woman generally articulated and dimensioned in accordance withthis prototypical woman. Further, bra design assumes both breasts areequally sized and symmetrical. They frequently are neither. Further,bras typically don't have an infinite range of adjustment and areconstrained by their configuration as manufactured.

Proper fitment is made more complicated because bras are complexgarments made of many parts and come in dozens of sizes andconfigurations. This results in a large number of women getting theirbras fit by professionals. In one survey from the United Kingdom, 60% ofover 2,000 women between the ages of 16 to 75 said they had a brafitting at one point in their life. The remainder of the population fitsthemselves or have friends or relatives fit them. When a woman fitsherself, the fitting is frequently less than perfect. Even if a woman isonce properly sized and fitted for a bra, finding subsequent bras thatare correctly fitted without a professional can still be difficult. Boththe methods of measurement and the manufacturing standards vary widelybetween manufacturers. Further, a woman's shape changes over time due tofluctuations in weight, the aging process as well as other factors. As aresult, it is estimated that up to 85 percent of women may be wearingthe wrong size bra. These improperly fitted bras can cause unwantedpositioning, movement and/or shaping of the breasts. Further, even whenproperly fitted, a bra may not provide the desired shaping for a user'stastes or may not integrate well into a particular outfit. This lack ofdesired positioning and/or shaping can have a negative effect on awoman's self-image and confidence. Similarly, unwanted movement cancreate insecurities that negatively affect self-image and confidence.

For these reasons, among others, a need exists for apparatus and methodto enhance the range of adjustability and flexibility in breast shapingand support for a user.

Bras are also very expensive and, even if initially properly fit, cantend to fatigue and misshape over time. Their expense and/or theemotional attachment a woman can develop for her favorite bra can leadto her using a bra beyond its optimum lifespan. To allow continued useand desired shaping for such fatigued and/or misshapen bras, a needexists for an apparatus and method to assist the bra in positioningand/or shaping her breasts as she desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions mayresolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed above and willprovide additional improvements and advantages that may be recognized bythose skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

In application of the methods, a woman would be provide and put on abra. The bra would have a first cup to receive her right breast and asecond cup to receive her left breast. Each cup would define a medialedge. The medial edge would be the edge of the cup adjacent the woman'scleavage. The bra would also typically have a pair of shoulder straps.Whether for being misfit, worn, or simply aesthetically not pleasing tothe woman, her breasts they are supported by the bra 90 may beconsidered to be in a first undesirable position at the woman'sdiscretion. In order to change the position without changing bra, thewoman would provide a bra fitment apparatus. The bra fitment apparatuswould include a first clip secured at a first end to a strap and asecond clip secured at a second end to the strap. The first clip and thesecond clip are configured to be removably secured to the medial edgesof the first cup and the second cup. The first clip has a first innerjaw and a first outer jaw. The second clip has a second inner jaw and asecond outer jaw. The first inner jaw and the first outer jaw of theeach clip are configured to receive and secure the first clip to thefirst medial edge of a cup. The first inner jaw and the first outer jaware generally configured to secure the medial edges of the cups withoutgenerating substantial wear to a material of the first cup and thesecond cup. The inner jaws and outer jaws of clips may frictionallysecure the clips to the material of the bra. With a frictionally securedclip, the inner jaw generating friction against the inner surface andthe first outer jaw generating friction against the outer surface tosecure the clip to the medial edge of the cup. Alternatively or inaddition, the inner jaws and outer jaws of clips may mechanically securethe clips to the bra. With a mechanically secured clip, the inner jawsand the outer jaws receive and mechanically engage a hem on the medialedge of the cups to secure the clips to the medial edge of the cups. Toreposition her breasts, the woman may first repositioning her breastsfrom the first undesirable position to a second desired position. Toachieve the second desired position, the woman selects a first selectedposition on a first medial edge of the first cup above the bridge of thebra to secure the first clip. The woman then secures the first clip ofthe bra tensioning apparatus to the first medial edge of the first cup.The bra tensioning apparatus is generally secured to the material of thecups by applying pressure between the first outer jaw positioned againsta first outer surface of the first cup and the first inner jawpositioned against a first inner surface of the first cup at the firstselected position along the first medial edge. The clips are configuredso that they may be removably secured to the cups so that the clips maybe initially secured to the cups and, if the desired breastrepositioning is not achieved, clips may be released and removed fromthe cups to allow them to be attached to a different location on thecups or to the cups of a different bra. Based on estimates to achievethe second desired position and/or the aesthetic desired by the womanfor an outfit, the woman secures the first clip of the bra tensioningapparatus to the first medial edge of the first cup. The securing of thefirst clip typically includes applying pressure between the first outerjaw positioned against a first outer surface of the first cup and thefirst inner jaw positioned against a first inner surface of the firstcup at the first selected position along the first medial edge. Againbased on estimates to achieve the second desired position and/or theaesthetic desired by the woman, the woman selects a second selectedposition along the second medial edge of the second cup above the bridgeof the bra to secure the second clip. Woman then secures the second clipof the bra tensioning apparatus to the second medial edge of the secondcup above the bridge of the bra. The second clip is secured by applyingpressure between the second outer jaw positioned against a second outersurface of the second cup and the second inner jaw positioned against asecond inner surface of the second cup at the second selected positionalong the second medial edge. Once the bra fitment apparatus is properlypositioned and secured to bra, the bra fitment apparatus generates atension through its strap between the first clip and the second clip todraw the first cup toward the medial line and the second cup toward themedial line of the woman wearing the bra to hold the breasts in thesecond desired position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bra tensioning apparatusand method of bra fitment in accordance with aspects of the presentinventions;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of atensioning apparatus in accordance with aspects of the presentinventions;

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view an exemplary embodiment of a bratensioning apparatus in accordance with aspects of the presentinventions;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view an exemplary embodiment of a bratensioning apparatus in accordance with aspects of the presentinventions;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view an exemplary embodiment of a bratensioning apparatus in accordance with aspects of the presentinventions;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view an exemplary embodiment of a braclip in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 6A illustrates a frontal view of a bra tensioning apparatus securedto a bra in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 6B illustrates a partial top view of a bra tensioning apparatussecured to a bra in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 7A illustrates a frontal view of a bra positioning the breasts of awoman in a distended position; and

FIG. 7B illustrates a frontal view of a bra and breasts of FIG. 7A witha bra tensioning apparatus positioning the breasts in a in accordancewith aspects of the present inventions.

All Figures are illustrated for ease of explanation of the basicteachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figureswith respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of theparts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will bewithin the skill of the art after the following description has beenread and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensionalproportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similarrequirements for various applications will likewise be within the skillof the art after the following description has been read and understood.

Where used in various Figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms“upper,” “lower,” “medial,” “lateral,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,”“second,” “inside,” “outside,” and similar descriptive and relativeterms are used, the terms should be understood to reference only thestructure shown in the drawings and utilized only to facilitatedescribing the illustrated embodiments. Further, the term “top” and“side” are used differently in describing the Figures showing the brafitment apparatus in isolation and the bra fitment apparatus secured toa bra on a user. The differences in nomenclature will be understood bythose skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Figures generally illustrate exemplary embodiments of a bra fitmentapparatus 10 and methods that include aspects of the present inventions.The particularly illustrated embodiments of the bra fitment apparatus 10have been chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of variousaspects of the present inventions. These illustrated embodiments are notmeant to limit the scope of coverage but, instead, to assist inunderstanding the context of the language used in this specification andin the appended claims. Accordingly, the appended claims may encompassvariations of bra fitment apparatus 10, its components and methods ofuse that differ to varying degrees from the precisely illustratedembodiments.

The present inventions provide a bra fitment apparatus 10 for use inassociation with adjusting the fitment of a bra 90 and associatedmethods for use in shaping, positioning and/or constraining the movementof a wearer's breasts. The bra fitment apparatus 10 is generallyconfigured to be secured in tension between the first cup 94 and thesecond cup 94 of a bra 90 being worn by a user 100. The bra fitmentapparatus 10 generally includes a first clip 14 and a second clip 16that are connected to one another by a band 16. The clips 14, 16 aregenerally configured to be secured to opposing medial edges 148 of thecups 94, 96. The positioning of the clips 14, 16 and tension in the band12 being selected by the user 100 to reposition and/or reshape herbreasts relative to her breasts' original position in the bra 90 alone.The first clip 14 and the second clip 16 are generally configured tomaintain sufficient tension in the band 12 between first cup 94 and thesecond cup 96 to hold the breasts in the desired position. The clips 14,16 are generally configured to maintain this tension without damagingthe material of the bra 90 or slipping or otherwise releasing from themedial edge 148 of the cups 94, 96 of the bra 90.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary application of bra fitment apparatus 10and methods in accordance with the present inventions on a woman 100. Asshown, woman 100 is wearing a bra 90 including a first cup 94 and asecond cup 96. The first cup 94 and the second cup 96 are connected bybridge 92. Shoulder straps 98 of bra 90 provide support for the firstcup 94 and second cup 96 in the illustrated bra type. A firstundesirable position 110 for the bra 90 is illustrated by the dashedlines. This first undesirable position 110 is typical of many women'sbras that may be misfit or bra's that may be worn, fatigued or otherwisedamaged. The second desired position 120 achieved using the bra fitmentapparatus 10 and associated methods in accordance with the presentinventions is shown in solid lines in FIG. 1. The positioning of the brafitment apparatus 10 between the first cup 94 and the second cup 94 cangenerate the repositioning of the breasts for many woman's body typesand breast sizes. However, the repositioning using the bra fitmentapparatus 10 in accordance with the present inventions is mostpronounced in women with larger breasts. The second desired position 120may be found more desirable by many women because the medial movement ofthe breasts can improve the fit of many types of shirts, blouses anddresses. With many shirts, blouses and dresses, the lateral displacementof the breasts into the undesirable position 110 while wearing a misfitor can cause the shirts, blouses and dresses to drape laterally past thewearers abdomen. This can create the illusion of greater size and girthof the abdominal region or otherwise create an appearance in the shirt,blouse or dress that was not intended by the designer and/or is notwanted by the woman wearing the shirt, blouse or dress. Further, thetension provided by the bra fitment apparatus 10 to cups 94, 96 canvertically lift the breasts giving them a less saggy and more youthfulappearance as may be desired by the wearer and further provideflexibility in positioning and shaping the breasts for a users desiredlook.

FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B illustrate details of an exemplary bra fitmentapparatus 10 in accordance with aspects of the present inventions. Theillustrated bra apparatus 10 generally includes a first clip 14connected by a strap 12 to a second clip 16. The clips 14, 16 eachinclude an inner jaw 22 and an outer jaw 24. The clips 14, 16 aregenerally configured to be removable secured to the medial edge 148 of acup 94, 96. This configuration permits the clips 14, 16 to be used ondifferent bras and to be repeatedly secured, removed and resecured atvarious locations to achieve the desired look and breast positioningduring bra fitment. The jaws 22, 24 are configured to atraumaticallysecure the bra fitment apparatus 10 to the material that makes up themedial edge 148 of the bra 90. As illustrated, the jaws 22, 24 are heldtogether by a detent, not shown, on a cap 26 when the cap 26 is placedin the closed position, as illustrated. Those skilled in the art willrecognize the present clip and its mechanism of operation upon review ofthe present disclosure. The clips 14, 16 are typically made of metal orplastic but may be made from other materials or combinations ofmaterials. Generally, the clips 14, 16 are configured so that the clips14, 16 do not damage the material of the bra 90 by cutting, snagging orpenetrating the material. Such snagging or penetration of the materialwould cause unwanted excessive and premature wear to the material of thebra 90. Although not shown, certain coatings and inserts may be usedthat reduce the likelihood of damage to the material of the bra 90 whileallowing the clips 14, 16 to adequately secure the material undertension. Clips 14, 16 are connected to one another by a strap 12.Typically, the strap 12 is made from a cloth, nylon, vinyl or leather.In certain embodiments however, the strap 12 may actually made from arigid or hinged metal or plastic materials. Regardless, the material isgenerally selected to have the strength and, for visible applications,aesthetic properties desired by a user 100. The strap 12 is generallyconfigured to be a non-elastic or have only a limited amount ofelasticity so as to eliminate or minimize stretching while bra fitmentapparatus 10 is under tension. The strap 12 of FIG. 2 is configured as aloop of flexible material that is secured to the clips 14, 16 by aneyelet secured to the clips for exemplary. The straps shown in FIGS. 3Aand 3B also secured to the clips 14, 16 through eyelets but areindividually sewn around the eyelets at both ends for exemplarypurposes. The straps 12 may be sewn directly to the clips 14, 16, gluedto the clips 14, 16, received in a channel or slot and crimped to theclips 14, 16, or otherwise secured to the clips 14, 16 as will berecognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the presentdisclosure. Typically, the bra fitment apparatus 10 will be configuredwith an overall length between one inch and four inches to properlyaccommodate various sizes and shapes of women and their breasts. Inoperation, the bra fitment apparatus 10 is generally configured to pullthe medial edges 148 of the first cup 94 and the second cup 96 fromwithin about 1.5 inches and 3.5 inches of one another and, moretypically, 96 from within about 2.0 inches and 3.0 inches of oneanother, depending on the anatomy of the woman 100. In certainembodiments, the strap 12 may be provided with a configuration ormechanism for adjustment of its length as will be recognized by thoseskilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure to allow properfitment to different types of women.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bra fitment apparatus 10 may be configured tohave ornamental features that provide either an enhanced public orprivate aesthetic desired by the user. As such, the clips 14, 16 andband 12 may have ornamental features or designs. Further, the band 12might include a connector 30. The connector 30 may be configured as aneye as shown in FIG. 4. The connector 30 may allow the permanent orremovable attachment of various ornamental features to the bra fitmentapparatus 10. As shown, a display surface 32 is removably attached tothe bra fitment apparatus 10 by a fastener 34 at connector 30. Thedisplay surface 32 is illustrated as a square for exemplary purposes.Those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of sizes andshapes of display surfaces 32 may provide a desired aesthetic. Thedisplay surface 32 may itself have an ornamental shape, may includedesired jewels, gems, designs, colors or other elements desired by adesigner.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a clip 14, 16 in accordancewith aspects of the present invention. As illustrated, clip 14, 16includes an outer jaw 24 and an inner jaw 22. The jaws 22, 24 are heldtogether and biased against one another by a spring, not shown. Theforce generated by the jaws 22, 24 is sufficient to secure the clip 14,16 to the medial edge 148 of a cup 94, 96 of a bra 90 while the brafitment apparatus is holding the breasts in a second desired position.The illustrated clip 14, 16 includes rounded teeth 26 and a flange 28 toallow a user to force the jaws apart and release the medial edge 148 ofthe bra 90.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an embodiment of a bra fitment apparatus 10and methods in accordance with embodiments of the present inventions.FIG. 6A illustrates a bra fitment apparatus 10 secured between cups 94,96 of a bra 90. As illustrated, the bra fitment apparatus 10 is securedabove the bridge 92 of the bra 90. The inner jaw 22 and the outer jaw 24of the first clip 14 is secure about a hem 144 of the first cup 24.Similarly, the inner jaw 22 and the outer jaw 24 of the second clip 16is secure about hem 146 of the first second clip 26. Inner jaw 22 isalso biased against an inner surface 152 of the material 50 of the firstcup 94 of bra 90 as well as outer jaw 24 through the material 150 of thefirst cup 94. The outer jaw 24 is biased against the outer surface 154of the material 50 of the bra cup 94 of bra 90 as well as the opposinginner jaw 22. The upper jaws lines of force 130 show tension exerted todraw the breasts inward and/or upward when

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate methods and bra fitment apparatus 10 as wellas certain advantages and benefits of the method from adjusting theposition and shape of the breasts of a woman in according withembodiments of the present inventions. FIG. 7A illustrates a woman 100wearing a bra 90 with the breasts being in a first undesirable positionby first cup 94 and second cup 96. The breasts at cleavage 190 isundefined in that there is no significant definition of the breasts atcleavage 190. The breast in the first cup 94 is sagging downward andextends laterally beyond the woman's rib cage by a distance 164. Thebreast in the second cup 96 is also sagging downward and extendslaterally beyond the woman's rib cage by a distance 166. FIG. 7B adds abra fitment apparatus 10 between the first medial edge 148 of the firstcup 94 and the second medial edge 148 of the second cup 96 using methodsin accordance with embodiments of the present inventions. In using theillustrated method, the woman 100 has raised her right breast a distance184 and has a reduced lateral distance 177 that her right breastoverhangs her rib cage. The woman 100 has also raised her left breast adistance 184 and has a reduced lateral distance 177 that her left breastoverhangs her rib cage. In doing so, the woman 100 has created what isknown as “enhanced cleavage”. Cleavage 190 is enhanced when the breastsare drawn upward and/or inward, in this case by methods using inaccordance with the present inventions, to create right breastdefinition 194 along the medial aspect of the right breast and the leftbreast definition 196 along the medial aspect of the left breast.

In application of the methods, a woman 100 would be provide and put on abra 90. The bra 90 would have a first cup 94 to receive her right breastand a second cup 96 to receive her left breast. Each cup 94, 96 woulddefine a medial edge 148. The medial edge 148 would be the edge of thecup 94, 96 adjacent the woman's cleavage 190. The bra 90 would alsotypically have a pair of shoulder straps 98. Whether for being misfit,worn, or simply aesthetically not pleasing to the woman, her breaststhey are supported by the bra 90 may be considered to be in a firstundesirable position at the woman's discretion. In order to change theposition without changing bra 90, the woman 100 would provide a brafitment apparatus 10. The bra fitment apparatus 10 would include a firstclip 14 secured at a first end to a strap 12 and a second clip 15secured at a second end to the strap. The first clip 14 and the secondclip 16 are configured to be removably secured to the medial edges 148of the first cup 94 and the second cup 96. The first clip 14 has a firstinner jaw 22 and a first outer jaw 24. The second clip 16 has a secondinner jaw 22 and a second outer jaw 24. The first inner jaw 22 and thefirst outer jaw 24 of the each clip 14, 16 are configured to receive andsecure the first clip to the first medial edge 148 of a cup 14, 16. Thefirst inner jaw 22 and the first outer jaw 24 are generally configuredto secure the medial edges 148 of the cups 14, 16 without generatingsubstantial wear to a material 150 of the first cup 14 and the secondcup 16. The inner jaws 22 and outer jaws 24 of clips 14, 16 mayfrictionally secure the clips 14, 16 to the material 150 of the bra 90.With a frictionally secured clip 14, 16, the inner jaw 22 generatingfriction against the inner surface 152 and the first outer jaw 24generating friction against the outer surface 154 to secure the clip 14,16 to the medial edge 148 of the cup 94, 96. Alternatively or inaddition, the inner jaws 22 and outer jaws 24 of clips 14, 16 maymechanically secure the clips 14, 16 to the bra 90. With a mechanicallysecured clip 14, 16, the inner jaws 22 and the outer jaws 24 receive andmechanically engage a hem 144, 146 on the medial edge 148 of the cups94, 96 to secure the clips 14, 16 to the medial edge 148 of the cups 14,16. To reposition her breasts, the woman 100 may first repositioning herbreasts from the first undesirable position 110 to a second desiredposition 120. To achieve the second desired position 120, the woman 100selects a first selected position on a first medial edge 148 of thefirst cup 14 above the bridge 92 of the bra 90 to secure the first clip14. The woman 100 then secures the first clip 14 of the bra tensioningapparatus 10 to the first medial edge 148 of the first cup 14. The bratensioning apparatus is generally secured to the material 150 of thecups 14, 16 by applying pressure between the first outer jaw 24positioned against a first outer surface 154 of the first cup 14 and thefirst inner jaw 22 positioned against a first inner surface 152 of thefirst cup 14 at the first selected position along the first medial edge148. The clips 14, 16 are configured so that they may be removablysecured to the cups 14, 16 so that the clips 14, 16 may be initiallysecured to the cups 14, 16 and, if the desired breast repositioning isnot achieved, clips 14, 16 may be released and removed from the cups toallow them to be attached to a different location on the cups 94, 96 orto the cups 94, 96 of a different bra 90. Based on estimates to achievethe second desired position and/or the aesthetic desired by the woman100 for an outfit, the woman 100 secures the first clip 14 of the bratensioning apparatus 10 to the first medial edge 148 of the first cup94. The securing of the first clip 14 typically includes applyingpressure between the first outer jaw 24 positioned against a first outersurface 154 of the first cup 94 and the first inner jaw 22 positionedagainst a first inner surface 152 of the first cup 94 at the firstselected position along the first medial edge 148. Again based onestimates to achieve the second desired position 120 and/or theaesthetic desired by the woman 100, the woman selects a second selectedposition along the second medial edge 148 of the second cup 16 above thebridge 92 of the bra 90 to secure the second clip 16. Woman 100 thensecures the second clip 16 of the bra tensioning apparatus 10 to thesecond medial edge 148 of the second cup 16 above the bridge 92 of thebra 90. The second clip 16 is secured by applying pressure between thesecond outer jaw 24 positioned against a second outer surface 154 of thesecond cup 16 and the second inner jaw 22 positioned against a secondinner surface 152 of the second cup 16 at the second selected positionalong the second medial edge 148. Once the bra fitment apparatus 10 isproperly positioned and secured to bra 90, the bra fitment apparatus 10generates a tension through its strap 12 between the first clip 14 andthe second clip 16 to draw the first cup 94 toward the medial line andthe second cup 96 toward the medial line of the woman 100 wearing thebra 90 to hold the breasts in the second desired position 120.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplaryembodiments of the present inventions. Upon review of the specification,one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, andfrom the accompanying figures and claims, that various changes,modifications and variations can be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the followingclaims. This includes but is not limited to the order of the steps ofthe methods for using the bra fitment apparatus 10.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for adjusting the position and shape ofthe breasts of a woman, comprising the steps of: a. Providing a bracomprising a first cup and a second cup connected by a bridge, the firstcup defining a first medial edge and the second cup defining a secondmedial edge; b. Placing the bra on a woman with a first breast receivedand supported within the first cup and a second breast received andsupported in the second cup to position the first breast and the secondbreast in a first undesired position; c. Providing a bra fitmentapparatus, comprising a first clip, a second clip and a strap secured ata first end to the first clip and at a second end to the second clip,the first clip having a first inner jaw and a first outer jaw, thesecond clip having a second inner jaw and a second outer jaw, the firstinner jaw and the first outer jaw of the first clip secure the firstclip to the first medial edge of the first cup and the second inner jawand the second outer jaw of the second clip secure the second clip tothe first medial edge of the first cup without generating substantialwear to a material of the first cup and the second cup; d. repositioningthe breasts from the first undesirable position to a second desiredposition; e. selecting a first selected position on an first medial edgeof the first cup above the bridge of the bra to secure the first clip toprovide a desired aesthetic and to secure the breasts in the seconddesired position; f. securing the first clip of the bra tensioningapparatus to the first medial edge of the first cup wherein securing thefirst clip comprises applying pressure between the first outer jawpositioned against a first outer surface of the first cup and the firstinner jaw positioned against a first inner surface of the first cup atthe first selected position along the first medial edge; g. Selecting asecond selected position on the second medial edge of the second cupabove the bridge of the bra to secure the second clip to provide adesired aesthetic and to secure the breasts in the second desiredposition; h. securing the second clip of the bra tensioning apparatus tothe second medial edge of the second cup above the bridge of the brawherein securing the second clip comprises applying pressure between thesecond outer jaw positioned against a second outer surface of the secondcup and the second inner jaw positioned against a second inner surfaceof the second cup at the second selected position along the secondmedial edge; i. generating a tension in the strap between the first clipand the second clip to draw the first cup toward the medial line and thesecond cup toward the medial line of the woman wearing the bra to holdthe breasts in the second desired position.
 2. The method of claim 1,the step of securing the first clip further comprising the first innerjaw generating friction against the inner surface and the first outerjaw generating friction against the outer surface of the first cup tosecure the first clip to the first medial edge 148 of the first cup. 3.The method of claim 1, the step of securing the first clip furthercomprising the first inner jaw and the first outer jaw receiving a firsthem to the first medial edge 148 of the first cup to secure the firstclip to the first medial edge 148 of the first cup.
 4. The method ofclaim 2, the step of securing the second clip further comprising thesecond inner jaw generating friction against the inner surface and thesecond outer jaw generating friction against the outer surface of thesecond cup to secure the second clip to the second medial edge 148 ofthe second cup.
 5. The method of claim 3, the step of securing thesecond clip further comprising the second inner jaw and the second outerjaw receiving a second hem at the second medial edge 148 of the secondcup to secure the second clip to the second medial edge 148 of thesecond cup.